expectation

noun

ex·​pec·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shən 

ik-

1

: the act or state of expecting : anticipation

in expectation of what would happen

2

a

: something expected

not up to expectations

expectations for an economic recovery

b

: basis for expecting : assurance

they have every expectation of success

c

: prospects of inheritance

—usually used in plural

3

: the state of being expected

4

a

: expectancy sense 2b

b

: expected value

expectational

ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

-shnəl

adjective

Synonyms

• anticipation
• contemplation
• expectance
• expectancy
• prospect

Examples of expectation in a Sentence

The company has expectations of making a profit next year.

I saved the files in the expectation that they would be useful in the future.

There is widespread expectation that the strike will be settled soon.

The crowd waited in expectation of her arrival.

Recent Examples on the Web

This marked a dramatic shift from the expectations that had fueled investor optimism in recent weeks. —Benzinga, Detroit Free Press, 21 Dec. 2024

Image courtesy of Focus Features If food serves as a metaphor for love and care in many of the movies listed above, Paul Thomas Anderson's Phantom Thread flips that expectation on its head. —Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024

Despite these promising signals, expectations for a 2025 IPO boom may be overly optimistic. —Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

The pressure to create a perfect holiday experience can lead to feelings of overwhelm and inadequacy when expectations are not met. —Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing expectation

• mathematical expectation

Kids Definition

expectation

noun

ex·​pec·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shən 

ik-

1

: the act or state of expecting : a looking forward to or waiting for something

2

: chances of good or bad fortune

—usually used in plural

3

: something expected